msnbc contributor goldie taylor, professor of political science, jason johnson, and msnbc contributor and former bush-cheney senior adviser, robert traynam. i'll go ladies first. the fed up. nbc news helped conduct a focus group of 11 cincinnati area voters who described themselves as independents. here's what they said about congress and the shutdown earlier this year. take a listen. >> i think they were selfish, not caring about themselves but hurting the people they're supposed to be in there helping and representing. >> i thought it showed a lack of concern by our leaders for the people that they represent. they had their own agenda. i don't think they had people's best interest at heart. >> i felt like certain people decided to shut down the government to prove a point rather than to work towards making improvements. i have no problem they disagree with the affordable care act, but they could have worked to improve it. >> you think? anyway, how fed up is middle america with washington right now? >> i think they're damn fed up. i think they ought to be. a government that is callou